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In Alabama, alimony awards eventually cease due to cohabitation, remarriage, death or several other factors. The basic purpose of alimony is to support the spouse earning a lower income when there is a large disparity in the spouses’ incomes, in order for that spouse to continue paying normal living expenses.

Modifying an Alimony Award in Alabama

An alimony award can be modified if the parties agree to the changes. In some cases, however, the divorce decree can stipulate that alimony will be non-modifiable, which means it cannot be changed. However, in all other cases, either spouse can file a motion to modify alimony based on a material change in circumstances. Changed circumstances can include many different factors such as promotion or cohabitation — anything that requires an adjustment to the terms of the alimony order. Any changes to the support order do not affect payments already made, only future payments.

Terminating Alimony Based on Cohabitation

Cohabitation is grounds to terminate an alimony award in Alabama. Cohabitation is legally defined as two unmarried adults living together and sharing finances, household expenses and a residence. The more the relationship resembles a marriage, the more likely the court will see it as cohabitation and terminate spousal support. In some cases, even if the court doesn’t find actual cohabitation, alimony can be reduced if the cohabitating partner contributes to a supported spouse’s household expenses.

Terminating Alimony Based on Remarriage

Unless the paying spouse agrees for alimony to continue after remarriage, spousal support will terminate as soon as the supported spouse gets remarried. If you have questions regarding alimony or any other family law matters, please contact The Law Office of Brad J. Latta either online or by calling (205) 739-2422.

Alabama courts are called to act in the best interests of children when it comes to divorce, custody and visitation. There are many different factors that are considered in determining what is best. Once a child reaches the age of 12 or 13, courts typically begin take seriously the preferences of that child in making decisions regarding custody and visitation.

When does the court intervene?

It is not at all uncommon for children and parents to want to make changes to custody or visitation arrangements. While deciding what is best for the child is the foremost concern, the rights of the parents, as established through the court orders, must still be considered. In many cases, when changes need to be made to visitation, the court will require the parents to try mediation. If that doesn’t work, then the court will get involved.

Considering the older child’s preference

One common issue that arises in determining the weight that should be given to a child’s preference is what that preference is based on. In other words, does the child want a change for legitimate reasons? In some cases, a guardian ad litem may need to get involved to help facilitate changes in visitation, or to help determine the child’s true wishes.

What is a parent’s duty with regard to visitation?

Many parents don’t realize they have a duty to ensure that their child abides by the custody and visitation arrangements established by the court. With older children that can sometimes be an issue. Parents have an obligation to be sure their child goes to scheduled visitation. If not, the court can take steps to ensure compliance with the visitation order, which sometimes includes parenting classes. There is no question that parenting can be difficult at times and divorce certainly does not help with that situation. Nevertheless, parents must strive to comply with the terms of custody and visitation.

If you have questions regarding visitation or any other family law matters, please contact The Law Office of Brad J. Latta either online or by calling (205) 739-2422.

When it comes to divorce and child custody issues, everyone has their own opinion. That includes the children who are involved. While parents will have their own beliefs about what is best for the child, it is the judge who ultimately makes the decision. In some states, judges are required to at least consider the preferences of the children when making that decision.

Custody Decisions in Alabama

If the parents in a divorce are unable to agree on custody, then a judge must intervene and determine what is in the best interests of the child. In Alabama, the judge will consider both parents and determine what is in the child’s best interests, including the child’s safety and well-being. There are several factors that Alabama judges are required to consider:

the child’s age and sex

the child’s emotional, social, moral, material, and educational needs

each parent’s home environment

each parent’s age, character, and stability

each parent’s mental and physical health

each parent’s ability to provide for the child’s needs

the child’s relationship with each parent

the child’s relationship with siblings

the effect on a child of changing an existing custodial arrangement

expert’s reports and recommendations

each child’s preference, if the child is of sufficient age and maturity, and

any other factors relevant to custody.

None of these factors is more important than any other. Judges in Alabama have very broad discretion in making custody decisions.

When Does the Judge Consider a Child’s Preference Regarding Custody?

In Alabama, as in many other courts, the judge will consider the child’s preference if the child is mature enough to voice an intelligent opinion. There is no specific age, however. Instead, the judge will look at each situation individually and determine whether the preference is reasonable based on the reasons the child gives for the preference. While the child’s preference is not controlling, in most cases it is weighed heavily in the scheme of things. Regardless, the judge will not comply with a child’s preference if it is not in the best interests of the child.

If you have questions regarding child custody or any other family law matters, please contact The Law Office of Brad J. Latta either online or by calling (205) 739-2422.

So-called “traditional families” have certainly evolved into something much more complicated. As a result, the concept of child support has evolved as well. Parents with multiple children or multiple families are often subject to multiple child support orders. As a result, a certain innovation in calculating child support obligations is necessary.

Conflicting interests

There are cases where a father may have three children, all with different mothers. The youngest child lives with the father and his current wife, while the other two children live with their respective mothers. The concern that courts have in determining child support obligations in this situation is that the father may end up paying an inflated amount of support for those children not living with father. On the other hand, there is also a concern that children from multiple families should not be prejudiced by other child support awards for children of another family.

One method of calculating multiple child support

When calculating child support for multiple families, courts will typically calculate two separate child support obligations for each custodial parent and then average the two together. In other words, one obligation is calculated without including any prior child support order, while the second obligation is calculated with consideration of the prior support orders. Finally, the two resulting child support obligations are averaged together and this average becomes the child support award for that custodial parent.

What about the self-support reserve?

The self-support reserve is an amount of money that the obligated parent will need to support himself or herself, before paying child support. This reserve ensures that both parties have sufficient income to maintain a “basic level of subsistence living” after child support is awarded. This amount represents a percentage of the federal poverty line for one person. If the child support obligation reduces the parent’s self-support reserve below the federal poverty guideline, the child support award will likely be adjusted. The steps for determining the self-support reserves are generally as follows:

determine the federal poverty guideline for the current year

combine the obligor’s support orders

calculate the net income of the non-custodial parent

subtract the poverty guideline amount from the obligor’s net income

Once these calculations have been made, the court will determine whether the custodial parent’s income is above or below the self-support reserve. If you have questions regarding child support, or any other divorce issues, contact attorney Brad J. Latta online, or by calling (205) 739-2422.

Every state has established its own laws regarding the duty of non-custodial parents to pay child support. In most cases, child support is required until the child reaches the age of majority, which also differs from one state to the next. In some states, there are exceptions to the rule that the duty to pay child support ends when the child is no longer a minor, such as support for educational expenses. That is no longer the case in Alabama, since the Alabama Supreme Court case Christopher v. Christopher, which ended the duty to provide post-majority support. However, an exception still remains for adult children with disabilities.

Post-majority child support for the disabled

In 1983, the Alabama Supreme Court upheld an order of payment of post-majority support for a disabled child in Ex Parte Brewington. Since that time, additional case law has provided the answers to some important questions regarding this important rule. For instance, the age of the child at the time of the divorce has no bearing on whether there is a duty to provide support, as long as the child’s disability arose during childhood and continues into adulthood.

How is the amount of support determined?

The child support guidelines used to determine a general child support award is also used for disabled children. The determination must include factors such as the child’s specific needs and social security or other income from government benefit programs.

What constitutes a “disability” with regard to child support?

There is no real statutory definition of disability that requires support from a noncustodial parent beyond the age of majority. One Alabama Supreme Court case has set out some factors to be considered, including:

whether the adult child is capable of earning an income sufficient to provide for his or her reasonable living expenses, and

whether the adult child’s mental or physical disability is the cause of his or her inability to earn that income.

If you have questions regarding child support, or any other family law matter, contact us online or by calling us at (205) 739-2422.

Paternity becomes an issue when child support is before the court. When a child is born to unmarried parents, paternity needs to be established before child support can be ordered. While a father can acknowledge paternity, there are some instances where a women intentionally claims that a man is the father of her child, even when that is not true. This is known as paternity fraud.

The long-lasting effects of paternity fraud

Through the use of paternity tests, many would-be fathers are learning that the children they have provided financial support are not actually their biological children. This can be devastating to many people, including the non-biological father, the biological father, the families of both men, and obviously the children.

Remedies for paternity fraud

Seeking relief from a child support order, after discovering that you are not the biological father, may not be as easy you think. Indeed, it’s not as simple as submitting DNA test results to the court to get the child support order rescinded. There may be complications depending on whether the deadline for contesting paternity has passed. In fact, in some states, a DNA test is not sufficient to vacate a paternity order, without further evidence or documentation. Because the best interest of the child is the top priority for the court, it may be determined that the child should continue to receive support payments.

Be careful signing an acknowledgement of paternity

The best thing you can do to avoid being a victim of paternity fraud is to be sure before you sign anything. Someone who is looking to commit paternity fraud will be hoping that your sense of responsibility will override any hesitation you might have. Nevertheless, the smartest thing to do is request a DNA test to confirm paternity before you sign an acknowledgement of paternity. Most acknowledgements include a waiver of the right to DNA testing.

If you have questions regarding paternity, or any other family law matter, contact us online or by calling Brad J. Latta at (205) 401-1309.

A question that often arises in custody disputes is whether the child’s preferences are considered by the court. Certainly, the parents will have their own opinions regarding custody and visitation. The reality is that many children also have a preference as to who they want to live with after a divorce and how often they want to visit the non-custodial parent. But will the court consider the child’s preferences? Many states require the court to take testimony from the child during custody proceedings. In Alabama, it depends.

The basics of child custody in Alabama

In cases where parents are unable to agree on child custody terms, the judge will make that decision for them. In Alabama, courts are required to give custody to either the mother or the father in the case of a divorce. In deciding on which parent should have custody, or whether custody should be joint, the legal standard is the best interest of the child. This would include the child’s safety and well-being, the child’s age and gender, and child’s emotional, social, and moral needs. The court will also consider each parent’s home environment, age, character, stability, and mental and physical health. There are many other factors.

When a child’s preference is considered in Alabama

When the child involved is mature enough to articulate an informed opinion, the court will consider the child’s preference. There is no specific age at which an Alabama court must consider the child’s opinion. Instead, courts make that determination on a case by case basis. The child’s opinion may not control the judge’s decision, but it can weigh heavily.

Courts consider the child’s underlying reasons

When the court considers a child’s preference, it will also consider the reasons for that preference. For example, if the child is merely angry with one parent for disciplining the child, then the preference may not be given much weight. If, however, the child describes a better relationship with one parent or that one parent has been providing most of the care, the child’s preference would likely be given more weight. Regardless, the best interests of the child will always prevail.

Will the child testify in court?

Alabama law discourages requiring a child to testify about custodial preferences in court. Most often, the child is brought into a judge’s chambers to testify in front of the parents’ attorneys, but not in the parents’ presence. Both parents must agree to the judge speaking with the child directly.

If you have questions regarding child custody, or any other family law matter, contact us online or by calling Brad J. Latta at (205) 401-1309.

Divorce typically takes its toll on more than just the spouses. If there are children from the marriage, the need to maintain as close a relationship with each parent is important. Most experts consider the opportunity for both parents to continue to have a strong presence in the children’s lives to be in the best interest of those children. Unless, of course, it isn’t. Whenever there are any concerns regarding a child’s safety or well-being while in the custody of one parent in particular, then it may be time to consider supervised visitation.

The general right to visitation

Ordinarily, the parent who has not been awarded custody of the child is entitled to visitation. The visitation arrangement is only limited by the court when it has been determined that unrestricted visitation might endanger the child physically, emotionally, or morally.

A court determination is required

Before the noncustodial parent’s right to visitation can be denied, or even limited, the court must conduct a hearing to determine what is in the best interest of the child. The noncustodial parent must be given notice of the proceedings so he or she can have an opportunity to be heard by the court. If it is determined that the non-custodial party is entitled to visitation, but there are concerns about health and/or safety issues, the court will often consider supervised or restricted visitation, meaning that the visits must take place in public or with a third-party present.

Common reasons for supervised visitation

While every family’s situation is unique and the concerns are varied, there are certain situations that typically result in restricted or supervised visitation. For instance, where there is a risk of emotional harm, visitation may be supervised in order to avoid an extremely upsetting situation for the child. Most often, this occurs when unusual behaviors indicate emotional problems arising from parental visits. Depending on the child’s age and maturity, courts may also consider the child’s desire to have supervised visitation.

Personal factors of a parent that may require supervised visitation

A parent that has a diagnosed mental illness does not automatically have limited rights to visitation; it may be restricted by the court if the condition at issue could potentially place the child at risk of harm. The same is true for parents who are known to abuse drugs or alcohol.

If you have questions regarding child visitation, or any other divorce issues, contact attorney Brad J. Latta online, or by calling (205) 401-1309.

Over the last three decades, the tort of “wrongful adoption” has become more prevalent. Essentially, “wrongful adoption” is a type of fraud claim based on the adoption agency’s failure to properly investigate and communicate knowledge about a child to the prospective parents. In most cases, it involves medical or developmental issues that are withheld from the adoptive parents.

The Elements of a Wrongful Adoption Claim

Many states now recognize the claim for wrongful adoption, though the basic elements may differ slightly. Most wrongful adoption claims allege a failure to act in good faith; this means the legal elements often include misrepresentation, fraud, negligence, or contractual breach of good faith. Courts look at whether the information the adoption agency failed to disclose was “material.” Courts consider information “material” if it would have impacted the adoptive parents’ decision to adopt.

The Opportunity for an Informed Decision

A successful adoption most always depends on the informed decision of the prospective parents. If the parents are unable to afford to support a child because of medical or emotional issues the parents were not aware of when the decision was made, then the family will likely become a liability on the state and on society. For this reason, it is important that prospective parents are provided all of the pertinent information on the child that is available.

Hidden Releases Used by Adoption Agencies

Unfortunately, many courts have cited a long history of adoption agencies including release clauses in their adoption contracts, which limits their liability for withholding medical information about the child or the child’s birth parents. While adoption agencies are typically barred from disclosing identifying information regarding the birth parents, this does not include medical or psychiatric information which is often extremely important information for the adoptive parents.

If you have questions regarding adoptions, or any other family law issues, contact attorney Brad J. Latta online, or by calling (205) 401-1309.

Clients often ask whether there are any limitations to what a custodial parent can use child support payments for. The truth is, child support can be spent on nearly anything. There are no federal laws that limit the use of child support payments. Most state laws do not place limitations on use, either. Nevertheless, most non-custodial parents need some assurance that the payments they make are being used for their child’s needs. This article will provide some information on how child support payments should be used and how payments are often determined.

Child Support Payments Should be used for Basic Needs

Typically, it is expected that child support payments will be used to pay for food, clothing, and housing. Of course, the cost of raising children involves much more than that. For instance, there are usually school expenses, extracurricular activity fees, and toys. Older children, especially teenagers, can have costs associated with cars, like gas and auto insurance. Since child support payments are generally calculated to cover all of a child’s portion of household expenses, a custodial parent has the discretion to spend the additional money on extra items or expenses.

Child Support Based on Parents’ Income

In a very general sense, child support is meant to ensure that children of divorced or separated parents will continue to live as comfortably as they would have had their parents stayed together. States typically calculate child support payments by combining both parents’ income, and setting aside a percentage of the total amount for the needs of the child. The law will assume that the custodial parent pays for food, clothing and shelter directly, as that parent buys the groceries for the home and makes housing payments. Thus, the non-custodial parent contributes by making cash support payments to the custodial parent.

What is a Child Support Add-On?

In addition to the basics (food, clothing and shelter) and typical school and extracurricular expenses, children also need healthcare and medical insurance. Also, child care is a common expense, as the custodial parent often has to work outside the home. Therefore many courts add a percentage of these additional costs, after calculating basic child support, to this basic child support amount. Some states, though not all, also include extracurricular or educational costs in the child support add-on.

If you have questions regarding child support, or any other family law issues, contact attorney Brad J. Latta online, or by calling (251) 304-3200.